A Brief Register Part 2, Part 2 · Section 4 · Subsection 4
Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vicomitibus citra Trentam.
Our kSee Mat. Paris, Mat. West. Walsingham, Polychronicon, Polydor Virgil, Fabian, Grafton, Holinshed, Speed and Daniel, Ann. 1261. & 45 H. 3.Historians relate, that a little before this writ, there fell out a Great Difference between King Henry and his Barons, concerning the Provisions made at Oxford, and his Oath for their Observation, from which he held himself absolved, because it was compulsory: The King and his partie objected against the Barons, (who pretended the profit of the Realm) that they sought only their own bonor and gain, contrary to their pretences and decrees: They on the other side spread abroad rumors among the people, that the King intended to introduce forein forces and impose Taxes at his pleasure, &c. to the subversion of the State of the Realm, and oppression of the people; Which the King by his Proclamations protested against as false and scandalous, to undeceive his seduced Subjects, whose affections and assistance the Barons by these false suggestions endeavoured to alienate from him, as Claus. 45 H. 3. pars 1. d. 15. and Claus. 48 H 3. d. 9. Pat. 48 H. 3. d. 20. record, Whiles the King and Barons thus banded against each other, it appears by this Writ, the Barons summoned 3. Knights out of every Connty to come before them at St. Albans, on St. Matthews day, to treat with them concerning the common affairs of the Realm: But whether these 3. Knights were elected by the Inhabitants of each County, or such only as the Barons themselves nominated, (which is most probable) appears not certainly by the Writ, of which our Histories make no mention. The King being informed hereof, to prevent this intended Assembly at St. Albans by his writs commands these Lords and Barons to repair to him at Windsore the self-sameday on wch they appointed these Knights to meet them, to treat of a Peace between him and them; and by this Writ commanded this and all other Sheriffs on this side Trent, to whom like writs were sent, to summon those very Knights the Barons had called to St. Albans, to appear before him the same day at Windesore, strictly prohibiting them to appear that day at any other place than before himself; and to cause them by all possible means then to come before him, to conferr with him about the premises, (to wit, the peace and reconciliation between him and the Barons) that so thèy might by the effect of that Treaty both see and understand, that he purposed to attempt or seek nothing, but what he knew was for the honor and profit of his Realnt. So as these Writs in reality, were no proper legal Summons of any Knights of Shires to a Parliament, or Great Council, but rather an inhibition to divert them from confederating and meeting with the Barons, by summoning them all at the same time to appear before the King at Windsore, to be witnesses of his fair proceedings and publike intentions in the Treatie of Peace then intended between him and his Barons. And that which further clears it, is somwhat a like Writ in the same Roll to the Barons and Bailiffs of Sandwich about 3. weeks after the precedent Writ: which for its raritie I shall here insert.
lClaus. 45 H. 3. m. 5. dorso.Rex Baronibus et Ballivis suis de Sandwic. salutem Cum Vos et Progenitores vestri, Nobis et Progenitoribus nostris et Coronae nostrae semper extitistis prompti et fideles, & jam per quosdam Nobis adversarios protenus sicut audivimus, quod hac die quindena post festum S. Michaelis, sub specie reformandae pacis. inter Vos et Barones nostros de Wincheles, apud Bradhull convenire debeatis, ubi in dampnum nostrum colligationes requirere, et eos quos poterint à nostra fidelitate avertere proponunt. Vobis mandamus sub debito fidelitatis et dilectionis quibus Nobis tenemini specialiter injungentes, ne ibi aliquo modo accedatis, aut animos vestros eorum suggestionibus aliquo modo inclinetis, et super contentionibus inter vos et dictos Barones nostros de Wincheles subortis, in pace vos habeatis usque ad festum Nativitatis Domini, ut tunc ad vos Custodem Portuum nostrorum, aut aliquem alium fidelem et discretum mittamus ad pacem illam prout melius et commodius fieri poterit, inter vos et ipsos reformandā; Nos enim praedictis Baronibus nostris de Wincheles, hoc ipsum injunximus per literas nostras. Et quia intelleximus, quod quidam extranei contra Nos ingressi sunt regnum nostrum, quorum quidam inter Sandwic. & Dover. quidam autem inter Heth & Fullesham, et quidam apud Shorham nuper applicuerunt, et insuper quidam in partibus Flandriae se parant ad ingrediendum modo consimili regnum nostrum, omnimodam diligentiam quam poteritis inhibeatis ad custodiend. et prohibend. ne aliqui extranei regnum praedictū modo praedicto ingrediantur, prout etiam alias dedimus vobis in mandatis. Attendetis enim et fidelitatem et devotionem quam semper erga Nos habuistis, et quas pro custodia Maris (quae vobis et caeteris Portubus nostris specialiter incumbit) et honores et libertates prae aliis et Regno nostro adepti estis, quas speciali praerogativa semper intendimus et volumus conservare. T… ste Rege apud Sanctum Paulum London 3. die Octobris.